How Does A Sump Pump Work

A sump pump is an integral part of any basement waterproofing system. Sump pumps are crucial to preventing your basement from flooding. Most modern homes are equipped with a sump pump. However sump pumps can wear with years of use, so if you own an older home you may need to have a sump pump installed or want to have your sump pump replaced with a newer model.

Sump pumps are installed in the floor of your basement. They can be attached to your floor drain or to a water pipe that runs to the outside of your home. Usually they have a tank about the size of a small trash can and contain a water pump and a float. They are installed at floor level and prevent flooding.

The way a sump pump works is relatively simple. When it starts raining or if a pipe bursts in your home, the tank will begin to fill with water. Inside the tank is a float. The float works similarly to the float in the back of your toilet tank. As the water fills the tank it raises the float and once the float reaches a certain level it turns on the water pump. The water pump then starts pumping the water either to your drain or outside until the float lowers back to a safe level which turns off the pump. This keeps water from flooding your basement.

There are a few things that can go wrong with a sump pump so they required occasional inspection. First of all the float can become detached so when the water rises the pump isn’t trigger correctly. Secondly, a pump can wear from overuse. In a place like Maryland with heavy rains and a hurricane seasons, sump pumps get a lot of use and should be checked yearly to make sure it works correctly. Third, the impeller of the motor can jam and break because of a buildup of sediment, dirt, or even pests. Finally, the sump pump requires electrical power. So in a bad storm if the power goes out, the sump pump will stop working. If any of these things happen, your basement can flood.

A sump pump is one of the best ways to prevent basement flooding. It is important to routinely inspect your sump pump to make sure it is working correctly. If you think you have a problem with your sump pump you can call AA Action Waterproofing. Our certified experts can inspect your sump pump, recommend repairs, and install a new sump pump.